The Canadian government announced on Friday the sale of 10 retired CC-130H Hercules aircraft to Coulson Aviation, a company based in British Columbia. Coulson Aviation will convert these aircraft into firefighting planes as part of a fleet of 12 previously decommissioned by the Royal Canadian Air Force earlier this year. The remaining two Hercules aircraft will be displayed at public locations such as bases and museums.
The Secretary of State for Defence Procurement, Stephen Fuhr, revealed the conditional sale during an event at Abbotsford, B.C., coinciding with an international air show. Fuhr described the transaction as a top-notch divestment initiative that will repurpose military assets for a new mission.
The sale is seen as a significant development in addressing the global shortage of water bombers, given the rising intensity and frequency of wildfires worldwide. Coulson Aviation’s CEO, Wayne Coulson, expressed confidence in the company’s ability to have the first converted aircraft ready for the upcoming wildfire season.
The conversion process will be carried out at locations in Port Alberni, B.C., with potential additional sites in Abbotsford and Kelowna. Coulson Aviation will fund the conversion and operational costs, providing firefighting services under contract to various governments.
The C-130H aircraft, which has been a cornerstone of the military’s airlift operations for many years, is being replaced by the more advanced C-130J tactical aircraft. The 10 Hercules aircraft slated for sale will be transformed into large tankers capable of carrying substantial amounts of retardant for firefighting missions worldwide.
While specific financial details of the sale were not disclosed, both the company and the government cited confidentiality under the commercial agreement. The sale of old military assets is not always feasible, with some items being utilized until the end of their service life before disposal becomes necessary.
Following the retirement of Canada’s Victoria-class submarines in the coming years, their fate is likely to involve scrapping due to operational obsolescence.